Halloween Happenings

Our Halloween festivities started with Victoria's school dance/festival. It was on a Thursday, 11 days before Halloween, which I thought was a different day to do it, but that's the school tradition. The had many activities planned for the evening, which I don't even remember exactly what all of them were. The middle school didn't give any information out about the event to the parents. They talked it up at school a ton and wanted the students to be responsible for relating the information to the parents. It was a new thing to me, but I guess it teaches them responsibility. So, Victoria talked up the dance a ton and that's all she really did was dance (hey, she's my daughter, right?) She heard about the dance last year from her older friends and had been planning her costume since then.

This is her ballet costume from last year's recital. She knew it would make the perfect peacock costume!

 The very next week was Austin's school's Haunted Hallways. It was also on a Thursday, the same night as Victoria's first choir concert, which I will post about later. Basically, the teachers and staff decorate the hallways according to a theme with their costumes, depending on which wing they are in. The kids trick or treat around the classrooms. It's a new tradition at Miller and great fun! Last year was the first time we did it and learned to get there early, especially since we had to be at a choir concert. We got there a half hour early and were first in line! The hallways were so awesome, but I didn't take pictures of the decor because I was enjoying it so much I forgot! Austins's teacher and others in her wing dressed as the ninja turtles and their wing was so cool! Their costume ideas saved me since Austin had decided that morning he didn't want to wear his ninja turtle costume and was very upset about the idea. When he learned his teacher was going as a ninja turtle, he wore his costume happily and without complaint!

First in line!

Before the decorations.

Saturday was our Ward trunk or treat party. Victoria, being in Young Women now, was supposed to help in the younger children's fun house, so she wanted to go as Minnie Mouse to be all sweet with the kiddos. She literally came up with her costume in 30 minutes!

Erik was the first to join us for a family pic. By the time the others came, he didn't want to take another.

Always in character!

This one is too!

At Red Bell we don't wear costumes, but mine and Erik's Harvest Party were on Friday. They were great fun and went very well! Karissa had her party and parade at school on Halloween. On Halloween night she trick or treated at her friend Ella's house this year while the rest of us went here with Bethany, as usual, and Logan whose family came down for the occasion again. We even had time to stop by Bethany's church on the corner to play some carnival games and have some post-trick-or-treating snacks after getting a mother load of candy.

Outside Red Bell in his favorite picture place!

Luke was very interested in the pumpkins!

Pumpkin seeds were a hit this year!

Victoria, Erik, Austin, Logan, and Karissa before she left for Ella's.

Victoria, Logan, Erik, Austin, and Bethany right before trick or treating. 

Austin's pumpkin and Karissa's bunny pumpkin. Her light was burning out.

Victoria's cat pumpkin and Erik's pumpkin.

Fun times!